I Come Bearing Gifts & Heartfelt Thanks
Subscriber treats and a cooking class to inspire you this season
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Hello from the Sussex coast!
I feel ever so thankful for being alive and well, thankful for family and friends, and thankful for you. Thank you for being a part of such a supportive community we have growing here. Where we travel through recipes and stories from Africa and beyond. Please click here if you are new and want to know me a little better. And for more up-to-date adventures take a peep here or here on my socials, and do say hello. Today I’ll be sharing treats such as our festive cooking class that is free for all subscribers, my thoughts on the spirit of thanksgiving, our upcoming trip to Bath aka Bridgerton town and a little rant about not being quite ready for Christmas! I know, I know! I previously said I was ready…
Giving thanks every day! This is a topic I wanted to discuss with you, but didn’t get the chance to before the actual holiday. Although thanksgiving may not be a holiday that is part of our culture in the United Kingdom, many have adopted its spirit. The idea of ‘Thanksgiving’ is not exclusive to America, as across the world. This culture is embedded in many cultures, from the USA to Canada and even Liberia. Celebrated in different formats and inspired by different holidays, traditions and seasons. I am growing increasingly curious about celebrating this holiday as I love bringing people together to enjoy food, and family, to talk and make new and lasting memories.
Do you celebrate thanksgiving, if so how, and what does it mean to you? If not, why? I and our community I am sure would love to learn more. Perhaps we can do something together next year? So many questions…
In my recent piece in Nat Geo Traveller I discuss the Nigerian harvest thanksgiving celebrated through the colourful ‘Yam Festival’ which typically takes place after what we would call summer months in the U.K.
“In his bestselling novel, Things Fall Apart, Nigerian author Chinua Achebe described yam as the ‘king of crops’. With white flesh and dark bark, it can be fried as chips, roasted, boiled or pounded into a soft cloud to accompany sumptuous dishes like the mucilaginous okra soup. The New Yam Festival is a revered celebration by the Igbo tribe of southeastern Nigeria, and many others across the country, taking place after the rainy season (depending on the location) and before the start of planting season.”
In a previous story on my Instagram page I wrote, “I am ready for 2023, but not ready for Christmas 2022.” And then, right before Thanksgiving, I hosted my biggest cookery class yet, in partnership with Pinterest & Tastemade UK, with just under 2000 people from across the world in two 2-hour sessions. It was also the longest broadcast time I have ever spent cooking and talking live. It was intense and such fun. I cooked some amazing festive treats and mains and got all whipped up in the festive season. I went a little Mariah Carey and also shared this wonderful recipe for Malva Pudding which many of you have baked, and now the nerves have kicked in. With all the adverts and expectations and Christmas everything everywhere, I must confess to feeling a little stressed. Our Christmas tree is not up yet, I still have to-do lists that date back to September 2022, a tonne of recipes to cook and film from Africana and not to mention new ones I have to create. What does it take to be ready?
I have decided to try my very best to go at my own pace, and if that means I was ready last week and I don’t feel ready this week, that’s okay! I’ll be prepared when I am, (whatever that means) so in the meantime, I will enjoy cooking and eating glorious food and ranting to you. I just hope you don't mind. I have been cooking through the book and falling in love with it all over again. Here’s a simple recipe from my How to Cook Plantains Series. Master frying plantains in cute little chunks, perfect for the Plantain Shakshuka you will need to return to after I have posted it this morning, hopefully!
Upcoming Events
Festive Supperclub in Bath, Somerset UK
8th December 2022
Oh, I have not told you how much I fell in love with Bath when I was there on a book tour this October. I promise I will tell you all about it, especially if you weren’t following my tour updates on Instagram. It was a mad mix of fun and so much work that I couldn’t keep up with the live updates much longer. Neri and Patrick are some of the most sought-after restorers and designers in Europe, and I am thrilled to have been invited to host a Supper club in their beautiful emporium! They also stock AFRICANA amongst a select few beautiful books in their charming store. Within you will find books, exquisite interiors and more. If you are ever in Bath, Somerset, please make sure you check it out. More on my dream book tour in Bath soon, in the meantime do book your seats to join us, and you can also make a trip of it to enjoy the Christmas markets. Some of you are already coming from London. I can’t wait to see you there!
*Free Subscriber Cooking Class* ~ Festive Treats & Dips From Africana Cookbook
11th December 2022 at 10.30 am - 12.30 pm
You voted and now we have a date for our festive cookery class.
I love Christmas so much, there are specific Christmas recipes in my cookbook, recipes that have become part of my Christmas tradition, including several others that are perfect not just for the festive season but for all kinds of celebrations. From Christmas Pudding Puff Puffs inspired by a beloved Nigerian doughnut married with soaked fruits in brandy, citrus and spices to South African Malva Pudding, Egyptian Om Ali ~ called Sinful Bread Pudding in my book, Lamb with Hibiscus & Cumin Salt, Berber Buns as seen above, Chocolate, Hibiscus & Orange Cake and many more… you will be spoilt for choice.
In this class we will be cooking one of my favourite snacks this season; Berber Buns, inspired by Moroccan Medfouna commonly known as Berber Pizza. An enchanting recipe with spice-filled mince stuffed within typically rolled out into a flatbread/pizza, but in Africana, it is a delightful bun. You will also learn to make three marvellous dips from the book, to go with almost anything; Red Harissa (because I also have a green one), Golden Chermoula and Smoky Tomato & Date Jam. These are also wonderful presents that you can pop into jars and send off to family and friends, or gift at your Christmas parties.
If you will like to join our cookery class, please email cook@leratofoods.com or leave a comment below with any questions.
You will be sent the zoom link and ingredients list. If you are not able to cook but will like to join us, you are welcome. You can do the dishes! I cannot wait to feast with you!
If you know anyone who would enjoy these newsletters and our cookery classes, please spread the word and invite them to join us here.
Africana is available worldwide from the links below, including signed copies. The Americanised US edition is out in March 2023 and available to pre-order now.
Are we friends on socials? We have a lot of spontaneous fun there. Check out my recipe videos for inspiration and please say hello and tag me when you try the recipes. I’d love to read from you.
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Travel with me on unique cooking holidays across Africa ~ GHANA 2023
Read about Cook With Lerato here and see previous posts here.